Books About Trickery

The Best Trickery Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about trickery? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Trickery

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1989

Lon Po Po

By Ed Young

A Chinese twist on Little Red Riding Hood reveals unexpected dangers and clever survival.

Caldecott Medal (1990)Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (1990)

32 pages· 1,184 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud

5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 18,690 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In a vibrant retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, a young girl faces unexpected dangers in the Chinese countryside. As she navigates a path filled with deception and peril, her wits become her greatest ally. Will she outsmart the lurking threat, or fall prey to its cunning? This celebrated picture book combines stunning pastels and watercolors to bring an ancient tale to life, inviting readers to explore a world where bravery and cleverness are key to survival.

Sale price

$958

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1987

Heckedy Peg

By Audrey Wood, Don Wood (Illustrator)

A witch transforms seven siblings into food; only their mother can save them.

32 pages· 1,013 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 4,430 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Seven siblings, each named after a day of the week, fall victim to a witch's curse, transforming them into food. Their only hope lies with their mother, who must outwit the witch to break the spell. Can she save her children before it's too late? This tale of magic and maternal love unfolds with timeless charm and suspense, drawing readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1947

Stone Soup

By Marcia Brown · Aladdin Picture Books series

Three soldiers arrive in a village and trick the peasants into sharing their food by making a meal out of stones.

Caldecott Honor (1948)

46 pages· 1,074 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 47,045 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Three clever soldiers arrive in a village where the townspeople hide their food. With only stones, they concoct a plan to make soup, convincing the villagers to contribute ingredients. As the pot simmers, the soldiers' cunning turns scarcity into a feast, revealing the power of wit and cooperation. What will the villagers learn from this unexpected meal?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2003

My Lucky Day

By Keiko Kasza

A piglet's clever plan turns a fox's dinner into a surprising twist.

32 pages· 560 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 4,380 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: When a piglet knocks on Mr. Fox's door, the fox thinks he's found an easy meal. But the piglet suggests a bath, a massage, and more to prepare for the feast. As Mr. Fox works hard, the piglet's cleverness unfolds, leading to an unexpected twist. Is it truly the fox's lucky day, or has the piglet outsmarted him? Discover who really has the upper hand in this delightful trickster tale with a surprise ending.

Sale price

$570

Chapter Book · Ages 8–14 · 1920

Bowser the Hound

By Thornton W. Burgess · Dover Children's Thrift Classics series

A hound's relentless chase leads him far from home. Can he outsmart a cunning coyote?

128 pages· 22,365 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 251 ratings

$6.00Save 5%

Summary: Bowser the Hound loves a good chase, even if it means going hungry. But when Old Man Coyote, a master of tricks, leads him on an exhausting pursuit, Bowser finds himself lost and far from home. With the help of Blacky the Crow and other forest friends, Bowser must navigate unfamiliar terrain and outwit the sly coyote. Will Bowser's determination be enough to turn the tables on his clever adversary? Dive into this thrilling tale of adventure and friendship in the Green Forest.

Picture Book · 2007

The Fox and the Stork

By Mairi Mackinnon

No book description provided.

32 pages· 98 words

4.1/5 Goodreads · 141 ratings

Summary: A mysterious ISBN holds secrets waiting to be uncovered. What lies within the pages of this enigmatic book? Dive into a world where every number tells a story, and nothing is as it seems. Will you decipher the code and reveal the hidden truths?

Sale price

$759

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1987

The Wolf's Chicken Stew

By Keiko Kasza

A wolf's plan to fatten a chicken for stew leads to an unexpected twist.

32 pages· 362 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,585 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: A wolf, craving chicken stew, devises a plan to fatten up a chicken for a bigger meal. He cooks delicious dishes to tempt her, but when he returns to claim his feast, an unexpected surprise awaits. What twist will the wolf encounter in his culinary scheme?

Sale price

$379

Picture Book · Ages 4–9 · 2001

The Gingerbread Man

By Catherine McCafferty · Keepsake Stories series

A gingerbread man races to escape capture, but can he outsmart a cunning fox?

32 pages· 625 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 641 ratings

$3.99Save 5%

Summary: In a whimsical chase, a freshly baked gingerbread man dashes away from an old woman, a duck, a cow, and a horse. But as he speeds through the countryside, a clever fox lies in wait. Can the gingerbread man outwit his pursuers, or will the fox's cunning be his downfall? This bilingual tale, with vibrant illustrations, invites young readers on a thrilling adventure, blending excitement with a touch of suspense. Perfect for family story time, it offers a delightful way to explore language and imagination.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$574

Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 2015

A Pig, a Fox, and a Box

By Jonathan Fenske · Pig and Fox series

A fox and a pig engage in a series of playful tricks and mishaps.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor (2016)

32 pages· 362 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

4.0/5 Goodreads · 841 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Summary: Join Pig and Fox in three laugh-out-loud tales where a simple cardboard box becomes the source of endless fun and unexpected chaos. Pig's playful nature often results in Fox getting hilariously squished, but their friendship endures through every mishap. With comic-style illustrations and easy-to-read text, these stories promise giggles and surprises at every turn. Will Fox ever catch a break, or is Pig's clumsiness too much to handle? Dive into their world of fun and find out!

Sale price

$958

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2000

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato

By Lauren Child · Charlie and Lola series

A picky eater discovers the power of imagination to transform her meals.

32 pages· 556 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

5.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 8,241 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Summary: Lola refuses to eat anything, from carrots to tomatoes, until her brother Charlie spins tales of cosmic origins and magical lands. As Charlie's stories transform ordinary food into extraordinary adventures, will Lola finally take a bite? Dive into a whimsical tale where imagination triumphs over picky eating, and discover if Lola's taste buds can be swayed by creativity.

The Bookroo Book Club